Electrical fitting



Jam. R2, i932.

Re. A. MILLERM'ASTER ET AL ELECTRICAL FITTING Filed March 21, '1930Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH A.MILLEBMASTER, OF MILWAUKEE, AND WILLIAM C. TREGONING, 0F WAU- WATOSA,WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS T0 CUTLER-HAJMMER, INC., OF MILWAUKEE, WIS- CONSIN,A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRICAL FITTING Application led March 21,1930. Serial No. 437,757.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical fittings, and moreparticularl to improvements in a combined switch an attachment plugreceptacle.

An object is to improve and simplify the detailskof construction andassembly of the parts of devices of the aforementioned character.

Another object is to provide a combination l switch and receptacle ofthe enclosed type whereby the receptacle contacts and switch mechanismare adequately protected from dust and other foreign matter.

Another object is to provide a novel form of two-part molded insulatingbase for supporting and enclosing the receptacle contacts and the switchmechanism.

Another object is to provide novel means for attaching and supportingthe receptacle contacts and switch contacts with respect to the two-partinsulating base.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the inventionwhich will now be described, it being understood that the invention issusceptible of embodiment in other forms within the scope of theappended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a Acombined switch andattachment plug receptacle constructed in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View on the i broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1,with a metal face plate shown in position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an end View of the device.

F ig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the top member of the divided ortwo-part insulating and enclosing cnsing,-the switch frame and the partscarried thereby being omitted.

Fig. (S a top plan view of the bottom member of the casing.

' Fig. 7 is a perspective view, in separated relation. of certain of thecombined receptacle and switch contact parts together with the wiringterminal and supporting means therefor.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the switch of the switch contacts andthe combined at taching and terminal means therefor.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 15 designates the top section ofthe molded insulating and enclosing casing and 16 designates the bottomsection of said casing. Section 15 is provided with a ilat upper face15, and projecting upwardly a short distance beyond said face is a flatboss 17 of the contour best illustrated in Fig. 1.

Boss 17 is pierced to provide the usual T- slots or guide openings 18and 19 for the jack blades of an attachment plug not shown) a guide ringor flange 20 being formed around said openings to facilitate insertionof the jack blades therewithin. Boss 17 is also preferably provided witha peripheral flange 21,.-the areas between anges 20 and 21 beingslightly depressed and stippled or otherwise decorated.

ySlots 18 and 19 provide access to the triplespring receptacle contacts22 and 23 located within recesses 24 and 25 which extend upwardly fromthe bottom face of section 15. One set of triple-spring contacts 22 isshown in detail in Fig. 7 ,-said set comprising a strip metal punchingbent to provide two upstanding spring arms 22a, 22b bent inwardly towardeach other, thence extending upwardly, having the respective endsthereof bent outwardly from each other. The intermediate perforatedportion 22c is initially bowed upwardly, as shown, and superimposed uponsaid bowed portion is the perforated foot portion of the third springcontact 22d. A rivet 26 is adapted to penetrate the aforementionedperforations and the reg istering perforation in a punched sheet metalsupporting element 27 ;.-said rivet when tightly upset against the lowerface of element 27 being adapted to cause flattering of the bowedportion 22c whereby the arms 22a, 22b are brought toward each other inthe manner illustrated in Fig. 3.

Element 27 is provided at one end with a perforated enlargement 28 whichis adapted to lie within a correspondingly shaped shallow recess 29 inthe lower face of section 15. Seated within a correspondingly shapedrecess in one corner of section 15 (but oiset downwardly from the flatface 15a thereof) is the angular head 30 of an internally threaded metaleyelet 31,-the shank of which penetrates a registering passage insection 15 and the lower end wall 31a of which is of reduced thicknessto facilitate spinning or upsetting thereof against the lower surface ofportion 28, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. The usual binding screws 32are adapted for thieaded engagement with said eyelets.

Element 27 is preferably provided with a projection 33 to insure properpositioning thereof with respect to recess 24. Alsoy formed integrallywith element 27 and bent downwardy at a right angle therefrom is aswitch contact portion 34,-said contact portion having a short extension35 to be engaged by the bottom and side walls of a shallow recess 35awithin the section 16 of the casing. While the aforementioned eyeletprovides for rigidly attaching element 27. to section 15 it will beapparent that engagement of extension 35 by bottom section 16 of thecasing insures a more rigid support for the assembled parts and guardsagainst accidental misalinement of said parts when the device is in use.It will be noted that the elements 27 and 27a are formed from identicalblanks,-the switch contact portions thereof being merely bent in reversedireciioilons to provide right and left hand assemies.

The right and left hand switch cont-acts 36 and 37 extend inwardlybeneath the flat surface 15a of section 15 from downwardly offset ledges38 and 39,-the clearance passages for said contacts being bestillustrated at 36 and 37 in Fig. 4. Contacts 36 and 37 are bent upwardlyat right angles from fiat base portions thereof (see Fig. 10) whichengage shoulders upon the respective ledges 38 and 39 to insure properpositioning or alinement of said contacts.

Contacts 36 and 37 are ri 'dly secured to section 15 by means ofeyeglltes 31, the angular heads 30 of which are seated incorrespondingly shaped shallow recesses 40 in the bottom face of section15,-the upper ends of said eyelets being spun or riveted over therespective base portions of said contacts, as shown at the right handside of Fig. 3.

The switch mechanism is preferably of the general character describedand claimed in Vthe patent of Ralph A. Millermaster, No.

base or foot portions 43 and 44 and parallel upstanding arms 45 and 46the reduced upper ends of which are respectively provided withregistering perforations 47 and 48 which act as bearings for the pivotpin 49 (Fig. 2). Upon the pin 49 is lpivotally mounted a punched sheetmetal actuating lever 50 of the form shown partly in full lines andpartly in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The projecting upper end 51 of saidlever is preferably so arranged as to extend at the angle illustrated inFig. 2 in one extreme position thereof and to extend vertically upwardwhen in its other extreme position. In this manner unobstructedinsertion or removal of a plug with respect to the receptacle ispermitted irrespective of the on or oil' positioning of the switch. Asshown the end 51 of the lever has molded thereabout a suitableinsulating block 52, the lower enlarged portions 53 and 54 of which maybe provided with suitable legends 5o indicate the position of themovable contacts of the switch.

Located below the perforations 47, 48 are a pair of relatively largeopenings 55 and`56 of substantially inverted triangle shape which act asbearings for the punched sheet metal contact carrier 57 which hassecured thereto but insulated therefrom the respective pairs ofresilient bridging contactors,one pair of such contactors being shown at58 in ig. 3. Interposed between the lower end 59 of lever 50 and anabutment upon the carrier 57 is a coiled compression spring 60, saidspring being preferably enclosed by the cupshaped and slotted metalmember 61. The manner of assembling the movable switch parts withrespect to the Vframe is described in detail in the aforementionedMillermaster patent. Also as in said Millermaster patent the lever 50 isprovided on opposite sides of its pivotal center with arms 62 and 63,which,

prior to assembly of the switch within the casing, are adapted to abutagainst the end walls of slots or notches 64 and 65 in the foot portions43 and 44 of the frame to limit oscillatory movement of said lever.

However, as will be noted, the switch frame with its assembled4 parts isadapted to fit snugly within a correspondingly shaped recess 66 formedin the bottom face of section 15, so that the bottom or foot portions 43and 44 of the frame lie substantlally flush with said bottom face ofsection 15. The bottom section 16 of the casing is, moreover, providedwith a pair of spaced dove-tail recesses 67 and 68 within which a pairof correspondingly shaped soft rubber blocks or pads 69 and 70 areadapted to fit, with the upper surfaces of, the latter ynormallyprojecting slightly above the upper surface of section 16. It will thusbe apparent that when the two sections 15 and 16 are brought tightlytogether the pads 69 and 70 will press against the foot portions 43 and44 of the frame and thus clamp the latter in proper position within thetop section 15 of the casing. Similarly said pads will thereupon act asyieldable or resilient stops or cushions to limit oscillatory movementsof .lever 50, and the opposed side edges of said blocks will act asresilient stops to limit oscillatory movements of carrier 57.

The sections 15 and 16 are provided on opposite longitudinal sidesthereof with recesses 71, 7 2 and 73, 74 respectively, to provide properclearance for the oscillatory contactors of the switch,-the intermediaterecesses 75 and 76 in the respective sections being likewise adapted toprovide ample clearance -for the actuating lever 50, contact carrier 57and other movable elements of the switch.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the switch frame not only has itsparallel sides in en'- gagement with the walls 0f recess 66, but one ofthe foot portions 43 or 4411s adapted to rest upon the shallow ledge orrecess 75*l formed in the lower face of section 15.

The sections 15 and 16 are preferably firmly secured to each other andto suitable supporting lugs or ears 76 and 77 as by means of a pair ofscrews 78 at each end of the casing. Tapped openings 79 are provided insaid lugs for cooperation with the usual attaching screws 80 of a faceplate or cover 81 formed of metal or other suitable material. Face plate81 is provided with punched out perforations or openings 82 and 83 toaccommodate the actuating lever 51, 52 and the boss or projection 17 ofthe receptacle. The lugs 76, 77 may be provided with the usual plasteren gaging enlargements 7 6a, 77 a if desired.

As best illustrated in Figs. l, 4, 5 and 6 the respective sections 15and 16 are preferably provided with vertically extending end wire`grooves 84, thus facilitating wiring of the device and positioningthereof within an outlet boX of minimum size.

Vhat we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: A'

1. A combined switch and attachment plug receptacle, co-mprisingarnold-ed insulating block recessed from the lower face thereof toaccommodate a switch frame and the mecha.- nism carried thereby, saidblock being also recessed to accommodate a plurality of re` ceptaclecontacts, said receptacle contacts having combined supporting andterminal elements rigidly secured to said block, stationary switchcontacts electrically connected to the respective supporting andterminal elements. and a molded insulating member underlying said switchframe and arranged to clamp the latter in assembled relation to saidblock.

2. A combined switch and attachment plug receptacle, comprising a moldedinsulating block recessed from the lower face thereof to accommodate aswitch frame and the mechanism carried thereby, said block being alsorecessed to accommodate a plurality of receptacle contacts, saidreceptacle contacts having conductive supporting elements rigidlyattached to said block, stationary switch contacts formed integrallywith said supporting elements, and a molded insulating member adapted tocover the lower face of said block, said insulating member beingrecessed to accommodate said stationary contacts and portions of saidswitch mechanism, said member also having portions in clampingengagement with said switch frame to retain the latter in assembledrelation to said block.

3. A combined switch and attachment plug receptacle, comprising a moldedinsulating block recessed from the lower face thereof to accommodate aswitch frame and the mechanism carried thereby, said block being alsorecessed to accommodate a plurality of receptacle contacts, saidreceptacle contacts having conductive supporting elements rigidlyatt-ached to said block, stationary switch contacts formed integrallywith said supporting ele ents, a molded insulating member adapted tocover the lower face of said block, said insulating member beingrecessed to accommodate said stationary contacts and portions of saidswitch mechanism, said member also having portions in clampingengagement with said switch frame to retain the latter in assembledrelation to said block., 4the upper face of said block being pierced toaccommodate a switch actuating element, and said upper face being alsopierced to afford access to said receptacle contacts.

4. A combination switch and receptacle of the enclosed type, comprisinga molded insulating top member recessed from its bottom face toaccommodate the switch mechanism and a plurality of sets of resilientreceptacle contacts, supporting elements for said receptacle contactshaving switch contacts formed integrally therewith, other contacts forsaid switch, internally threaded eyelets attached to said"supportingelements and said switch contacts to rigidly secure the same to said-insulating member, said eyelets being exposed at the four corners ofthe upper face of said insulating member for cooperation with the usualbinding screws, and a bottom cover member having supporting engagementwith certain of said switch contacts, said bottom member also havingmeans to yieldably retain said switch mechanism within the recess insaid top member.

5. An electric snap switch comprising, in combination, a moldedinsulating block rccessed from thebottom face thereof, a sheet metalswitch frame of substantially U-shape seated within said recess in arelation substantially flush with the bottom face of said block, abottom cover member for said block, and a plurality of soft rubbermembers carried by said cover member and in clamping engagement` withportions of said frame to yieldably retain the latter within saidrecess.

6. An electric snap switch comprising, in combination, a moldedinsulating block recessed from the bottom face thereof, a sheet metalswitch frame of substantially U-sha e seated within said recess in arelation su stantially ush with the bottom face of said block, a. bottomcover member for said block, a plurality of soft rubber members carriedby said cover member and in clamping engagement with portions of saidframe to yieldably retain the latter within said recess, a punched sheetlmetal contact carrier pivotally supported by said frame, and aplurality of resilient contactors rigidly attached to said carrier butinsulated therefrom, said block and said cover member being recessed toprovide clearance for said carrier and said contactors duringoscillation thereof from one eXtreme position to the other.

7. An electric snap switch comprising, in combination, a moldedinsulating block recessed from the bottom face thereof, a sheet metalswitch frame of substantially U-sha e seated within said recess in arelation su stantiall ush with the bottom face of said block, a ottomcover member for said block, a plurality of soft rubber members carriedby said cover member and in clamping engagement with portions of saidframe to yieldably retain the latter within said recess, a unched sheetmetal contact carrier pivota ly supported by said frame, a plurality ofresilient contactors rigidly attached to said carrier but insulatedtherefrom, said block and said cover` member being recessed to provideclearance for said carrier and said contactors during oscillationthereof from one eXtreme position to the other, an actuating leverpivotally supported by said frame above said carrier, and extensions onsaid lever on each side of the center of oscillation of the latter, saidextensions and said carrier being cngageable with the respective rubbermembers to cushion the movements thereof to opposite extreme positions.

8. In a snap switch adapted for ush mounting, in combination, a punchedand stamped sheet metal frame of substantially U-shape in cross section,a molded insulating and enclosing base having arecess to accommodatesaid switch frame, said base being divided horizontally in the plane ofthe bottom surface of said frame, and the lower portion of said basehaving soft rubber inserts in clamping engagement with portions of saidframe to yieldably retain the latter within said recess.

9. In a snap switch adapted for flush mounting, in combination, apu'nched and stamped sheet metal frame of substantially U-shape in crosssection, a molded insulating and enclosing base having a recess toaccommodate said switch frame, said base being divided horizontally inthe plane of the bottom surface of said frame, the lower portion of saidbase having soft rubber inserts in clamping enga ement with portions ofsaid frame to yielda ly retain the latter within said recess, aplurality of resilient contactors pivotally supported by said frame butinsulated therefrom, an actuating lever pivotally supported by saidframe and proj ectin upwardy through an opening in said Ebase, andspring means controlled by said lever for effecting snap movement ofsaid contactors from one extreme position to the other, said leverhaving integral arms engageable with said rubber inserts to cushionmovements of the former to opposite extreme positions respectively.

10. In a device of the character described, in combination, a punchedsheet metal member having a statlonary switch Contact element formedintegrally therewith and bent downwardly therefrom at substantially aright angle thereto, a molded insulating block recessed on its bottomface to accommodate said member, a metal eyelet penetratin registeringopenings in said block and said member and having one end upset over thelatter, said eyelet bein internall threaded at its other end, a bin ingscrew aving cooperative engagement with said thread, and a plurality ofresilient receptacle contacts formed of strip metal and rigidly securedto said sheet metal member at a point between said switch contactelement and said metal eyelet.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a unchedsheet metal member having a stationary switch contact element formedintegrally therewith and bent downwardly therefrom at substantiall aright angle thereto, a molded insulating blbck recessed on its bottomface to accommodate said member, a metal eyelet penetratin registeringopenings in said block and sai member and having one end u set over thelatter, said eyelet being interna ly threaded at its other end, abinding screw having cooperative engagement with said thread, aplurality of resilient receptacle contacts formed of strip metal andrigidly secured to said sheet metal member at a point between saidswitch contact element and said metal eyelet, and a second insulatingblock engageable with said switch contact element to act as additionalsupporting and alining means therefor.

12. In a device of the character described, in combination, a punchedsheet metal conducting element, a tubular wiring terminal member rigidlyattached to said element to secure the latter to a suitable support,

4triple-spring plug receptacle contacts superimposed upon said elementand riveted thereto, two of said contacts being formed integrally witheach other and having the upper {lared'ends vthereof initially spacedapart, and

in intermediate upwardly bowed portion to be flattened by the rivetingoperation whereby said ared ends are brought toward each other forproper cooperation with a plug jack.

In Witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

RALPH A. MILLERMASTER. WILLIAM C. TREGONING.

